REEL TOP 40 RADIO REPOSITORY

Norm in his bedroom in 1966 and his home radio studio

Norm at KUDU, Ventura, 1970

Norm and friend at a movie publicity party,21st century

The announcing bug hit Norm Garr very early in life, when among a collection of birthday gifts there was a "working" microphone and speaker. Hours of listening to KFWB and KHJ in the 60's kept the "announcing" bug alive, including many opportunities to sit in on the Johnny Williams show at the Boss Radio station.

His first real DJ job was in the summer of 1970 as a weekender at KUDU, Ventura, CA., a "BOSS" country station that had every Drake-type jingle, a SOLID GOLD weekend, et. al.

For his senior project at San Diego State University, Norm interviewed a number of air personalities, including Robert W. Morgan and B. Mitchell Reed. (Some day, down the road, those interviews might show up in the Repository).

Also, during his time at SDSU from 1970-1972, Norm netted some "golden" time with legendary programmer Ron Jacobs at KGB, where Norm was interning  and that was after a previous internship at KCBQ with Buzz Bennett & Rich Brother Robbin.

Bobby Ocean, Shotgun Tom Kelly, Eric Chase, Barry Kaye, Christopher Cane, K.O. Bailey and Chuck Browning were among the personalities working in San Diego at the time. WOW!

After returning to LA to spend three years working as a news assistant at
KNXT-TV and a sports producer at KFI radio, Norm did weekends and fill-in again at KUDU, and then KACY in Ventura, CA., until he went to Longview, WA. for two years as a news director and operations manager.

Norm returned to LA to pursue his dream of working in network television, which he did for three years at NBC. His "executive assistant" roles have taken him to the every major motion picture studio in Hollywood, including eight years at Disney and almost four years at MGM/UA.

Norm is presently (and possibly, permanently) retired, but very busy doing all the things he never had the time to do while working 50-60 hours weeks in the "biz."

The Repository thanks Norm Garr for sharing!

The KHJ History of Rock & Roll was the first "Rockumentary", produced by KHJ Program Director Ron Jacobs.

Following the unprecedented success of this legendary broadcast, Jacobs left KHJ later that year. RKO made the show available to the other stations in their group, narrated by station-specific talent. When RKO was done with it, Drake-Chenault offered a re-recorded version in syndication three times between 1972 and 1982.

An edited version (no jingle) of the last release, narrated by Bill Drake, was still in syndication as of 2006.

The morse code REELRADIO "copymark" included in these exhibits is a reminder that duplication and distribution for trade or sale is illegal and inappropriate.

For Hour Fifteen of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, as broadcast by KHJ, we temporarily leave The Don Kent Collection for this hour contributed by Norm Garr.

Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials.. This hour was broadcast between 2AM and 3AM on February 22, 1969. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

The "Pop Music" segment of the History is continued, again featuring artists that were played on radio along with the new "rock and roll" performers.

This exhibit, contributed by Norm Garr, presents Hour 16 and the first half-hour of Hour 17 of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, as broadcast by KHJ in the wee morning hours of February 22, 1969. Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials.

We estimate the content in this part was broadcast between 3AM and (estimated) about 4:30 AM. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

The "Pop Music" segment of the History is continued, focusing on 1959 and 1960, spotlighting performers at the top of the charts as the Fifties became the Sixties. Classic torch songs by divas Brenda Lee and Miss Toni Fisher are featured, while handsome young men with big hair were all the rage, fueled by their appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.

This exhibit, contributed by Norm Garr, presents Hour 18 and the last half-hour of Hour 17
of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, as broadcast by KHJ in the wee morning hours of Saturday, February 22, 1969.

Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. We estimate the content in this part was broadcast between (estimated) 4:30 AM and 6:00 AM. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

The "Pop Music" segment of the History is continued, focusing on 1960 and 1961. We're gonna do The Twist, and it goes like this: We learn that the first fuzz guitar effect in a popular song was a technical difficulty, hear a demonstration of the first popular record in 5/4 time, but are clueless as to why a song about an agricultural pest should top the charts in 1961. Perhaps people liked remembering those old cotton fields back home?

. . .
a number of crazes swept through 1962 - the twist, the Bossa-Nova, and the lifestyle and beat of surfing
. . .

Jorgen Ingmann

Brian Wilson

[Description by Uncle Ricky]

This exhibit, contributed by Norm Garr, presents Hour 19
of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, as broadcast by KHJ on Saturday, February 22, 1969.

Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. Our best guess is that the content in this part was broadcast between 6 and 7 AM. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

Pop Music from 1961 and 1962, an era of Top 40 with exceptional variety, is featured in this segment. Comments from Neil Sedaka and Ray Charles are included. You'll also hear Brian Wilson define "surfing" music.

This is hour 20 of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, contributed by Norm Garr. Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. It was originally broadcast by KHJ on Saturday, February 22, 1969.

This is hour 33 of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, contributed by Norm Garr. Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. It was originally broadcast by KHJ on Saturday, February 22, 1969. In addition, this hour includes an extended newscast with Marv Howard from the original broadcast, contributed by Don Kent. (The newscast starts at 39:36.)

This segment of the original 48-hour Rockumentary was broadcast between 8 and 9 PM. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

Continued from the previous hour featuring 1963, much of the Top 40 music presented in this hour is memorable. The "blindfold test" comments from Phil Spector demonstrate his early genius, a genius that decayed into homicidal madness forty years later.

Hour 34 of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, contributed by Norm Garr, wraps up 1963 and moves the timeline forward into 1964.

Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. It was broadcast by KHJ on Saturday, February 22, 1969, between 9 and 10 PM.

This chapter of the original Rockumentary identifies 1964 as the first year of chart success for The Rolling Stones and The Temptations, examines the connection between Little Richard and The Beatles, and describes "the beginning of the rule of groups over rock 'n' roll".

Hour 35 of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, contributed by Norm Garr, focuses on 1965.

Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. It was originally broadcast by KHJ on Saturday, February 22, 1969, between 10 and 11 PM. It is also the first tape of this series with serious technical issues, at least during the second part. Because of some unfortunate distortion and "splatter", the music in the second half of this exhibit was restored.

Only 4 minutes of commerical time was scheduled for this hour. Included: Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits) talks with Elvis Presley, Bobby Hatfield (The Righteous Brothers) defines "soul", and Sir Douglas (of his Quintet) reminisces about his first hit. Stevie Wonder and John Sebastian (The Lovin' Spoonful) also appear in this installment of the Rockumentary. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

. . .
I got nothin' to say about these things I write, I mean, I just write 'em
. . .

[Description by Uncle Ricky]

Bob Dylan

Otis Redding

Hour 36 of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, contributed by Norm Garr, features music from 1966 and 1967, and ends the 12 hour chart sweep of the History. It also includes the late Otis Redding performing live at The Monterey Pop Festival, just a few months before his untimely death at the young age of 26.

Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. The original broadcast by KHJ was on Saturday, February 22, 1969, between 11PM and 12 Midnight. Due to some excessive "splatter", one song in this exhibit was restored.

Our host is Robert W. Morgan. Total time would suggest the hour was scheduled with two minutes of commercials and one ten-minute newscast. Bob Dylan, Donovan and Eric Clapton appear in this hour of the Rockumentary.

Hour 37 of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, contributed by Norm Garr, begins a two-hour examination of "The Singers", and focuses on solo performances. It begins with an exclusive 93KHJ History of Rock and Roll introductory perfomance, and is followed by the dazzling and superb production of Bill Mouzis.

After the introductory artists, Dionne Warwick and her hit records get a lot of attention. Then, about 30 minutes in, there is a brilliant composite of what are mostly considered "novelty tunes" today, named "non-singing-singers" here. This is not to be missed. Warwick, Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye are featured with spoken-word history.

Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. It was broadcast by KHJ on Sunday, February 23, 1969, between Midnight and 1AM. This hour contained only one, if any, commercial announcements. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

Norm Garr contributed Hour 38 of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll, and it concludes the two-hour presentation of vocalists. Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials. This hour was broadcast early Sunday morning, between 1 and 2AM, on February 23, 1969.

Beginning with Bob Dylan ("I'm just as good a singer as Caruso"), working up to Tina Turner (with words from Ike Turner) the hour wraps up with Lou Rawls.

Host Robert W. Morgan announces the next two hour segment (which started at 2AM that morning) will feature The Blues.

. . .
How this man got all these hits without any rehearsal, or anything
. . .

[Description by Uncle Ricky]

Muddy Waters

Slim Harpo

On Sunday, February 23, 1969, KHJ broadcast the 39th hour of the First and Original History Of Rock And Roll between 2 and 3AM. Norm Garr contributed this hour, the first of two hours devoted to Blues music and performers. Norm's recordings are copies from the tapes given to listeners who won a complete set of this original HR&R. They are one generation down from the masters, containing program content only - no news, no commercials.

It begins with Ray Charles and excerpts from the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. Only a couple of songs heard in this segment were played in regular rotation at KHJ.

Our host is Robert W. Morgan, who does identify all the relatively obscure but authentic blues music.

A ten-minute newscast was originally included in the program, but is not featured here.

The 40th hour of the original KHJHistory Of Rock And Roll was broadcast on Sunday, February 23, 1969, between 3 and 4AM. Not included here are any commercial announcements or newscasts that may have been part of this hour.

This is the second of two hours devoted to Blues music and performers and was contributed by Norm Garr. Norm's recordings are one generation down from the masters, and were especially mixed for contestants who won a complete copy of the History.

This hour contains mostly original American Blues music, with the exception of the opening opus featuring Canned Heat. Otherwise, the rest of it is raw, gritty and representative of the very earliest form of "rock 'n' roll".

Our host is Robert W. Morgan, who announces a break in the program, which he says will resume at 9AM. He also outlines the upcoming hours.

Following a five-hour break on Sunday morning, February 23, 1969, KHJ presented the 41st hour of the original History Of Rock And Roll between 9 and 10AM.

This hour was the first of two created for the Words And Music chapter of The History. Commercial announcements that may have been part of the original hour are not included.

This hour contains a few musical surprises and some hard-core rock, just perfect to awaken sleepy Boss Angeles on a Sunday morning. The recording was contributed by Norm Garr. Norm's recordings are one generation from the masters, mixed for contestants who won a complete copy of the program.

Jerry Garcia, John Sebastian and Lou Adler are featured with commentary. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

. . .
There are five people in the United States who probably understand all the records we have made - and I'm three of them.
. . .

[Description by Uncle Ricky]

Frank Zappa

Jim Webb

KHJ presented the 42nd hour of the original History Of Rock And Roll between 10 and 11AM on Sunday morning, February 23, 1969. Words And Music was the theme of Hour 41 and Hour 42.

Our host is Robert W. Morgan, who speaks of the "Los Angeles Sound", the "San Francisco Sound", and the upcoming six-hour segment focusing on Rock Groups. Comments from Frank Zappa and Jimmy Webb are featured, along with a broad variety of lyrical music.

The recording was contributed by Norm Garr. Norm's recordings are one generation from the masters, mixed for contestants who won a complete copy of the program.

. . .
The KHJ History of Rock and Roll has entered its final six hours
. . .

[Description by Uncle Ricky]

Blly Ward & The Dominoes

The Four Preps

KHJ presented the 43rd hour of the original History Of Rock And Roll between 11AM and 12Noon on Sunday morning, February 23, 1969. Hour 43 was the first of a six-hour segment devoted to Groups.

Beginning in the early 1950's with some authentic samples of R&B groups of that era, this segment of the History moves quickly into R&B and pop groups of the early 1960's. When originally broadcast, this hour included about 15 minutes of news and commercial content, which is not heard in this exhibit. Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

The recording was contributed by Norm Garr. Norm's recordings are one generation from the masters, mixed for contestants who won a complete copy of the program.

KHJ presented the 44th hour of the original History Of Rock And Roll between Noon and 1PM on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 1969. Hour 44 was the second of a six-hour segment devoted to Groups.

Only five minutes was left for news or commercial content in this hour, and that is not included here. The Beach Boys and The 4 Seasons get some attention, and The Exciters and Gerry & The Pacemakers get honorable mentions.
Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

The recording was contributed by Norm Garr. Norm's recordings are one generation from the masters, mixed for contestants who won a complete copy of the program.

This original hour of the KHJHistory Of Rock And Roll aired between 1PM and 2PM on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 1969. Hour 45, dedicated to The Beatles, is the third of a six-hour segment devoted to Groups.

Minus eight minutes for news or commercial content in this hour, which includes a lot of music, Little Richard, Bobby Darin, Chuck Berry and Paul Anka all have something to say, and there are also many comments from The Beatles, themselves.
Our host is Robert W. Morgan.

The recording was contributed by Norm Garr. Norm's recordings are one generation from the masters, mixed for contestants who won a complete copy of the program.

This original hour of the KHJHistory Of Rock And Roll aired between 2PM and 3PM on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 1969. This is the fourth of a six-hour segment devoted to Groups, and features The Rolling Stones.

What isn't included here is 13 minutes for news and/or commercial content. There is a short instrumental bed where the news would have been. It was likely provided to adjust for time.

. . .
48 hours, in which to enscapulate approximately 20 years of music
. . .

[Description by Uncle Ricky]

Jimi Hendrix

Eric Clapton

This original hour of the KHJHistory Of Rock And Roll aired between 4PM and 5PM on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 1969. This is the final hour of the ground-breaking 48-hour special which we started here on REELRADIO, in March of 2006.

Keep in mind that this program was broadcast in February, 1969. Woodstock was yet to happen, and Monterey was the pinnacle of contemporary music performance. Both Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton have comments, along with Producer Tom Dowd (Layla).

Complete closing credits for the production are included in this segment, and there's a honor roll of RKO heavies from all over the country. It's obvious that even as this final hour was broadcast, there were already plans for distribution to other RKO stations.